Male actors continue to make poor responses when asked to comment on the #MeToo stories shared by survivors. Today, Asrani dismissed the many accounts - some very disturbing - of alleged harassment, assault and rape as 'mostly for publicity, part of film promotions' and shouldn't be taken seriously, reports news agency ANI.
He failed to name the films he thinks the women who have come forward are promoting - he would find it difficult to do so, in fact, because the answer is: none.
Asrani, who goes professionally by the mononym, joins a list of actors headed by Salman Khan - and which until today also included Amitabh Bachchan - who have been criticised for their comments on the #MeToo movement.
This is what Asrani, 77, said: "I support women, everyone should, but all this is mostly for publicity, part of film promotions and nothing else. Mere accusations mean nothing, don't take this seriously," ANI reports.
#Asrani shames survivors of sexual assault & harassment who are part pf India's #MeToo movement. He says more than 90% of people are doing this for mere publicity pic.twitter.com/OpgsOwxJLg
— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) October 11, 2018
Two weeks ago, Tanushree Dutta renewed a decade-old allegations of harassment against Nana Patekar who, she claims, behaved inappropriately while shooting a 2008 film and then sent goons to intimidate her when she rejected his alleged advances. While several celebrities, mostly female, spoke or tweeted in her support, some male actors were criticised for their comments.
Salman Khan claimed he was 'not aware' when asked about the controversy. Shakti Kapoor, who was accused of asking for sexual favours in exchange for film work some years ago, flippantly said that he was 'just a kid back then' - he would have been 56 in 2008.
I support women, everyone should, but all this is mostly for publicity, part of film promotions and nothing else. Mere accusations mean nothing, don't take this seriously: Asrani on #metoo in Bollywood pic.twitter.com/HP15n6xP1r
— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018
Amitabh Bachchan, who first prompted outrage by refusing to comment on the Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy, today said that "No woman should ever be subjected to any kind of misbehaviour, or disorderly conduct; especially at her work place.
Such acts should immediately be brought to the notice of concerned authorities, and corrective measures be taken, either through filing complaints or a recourse to law."
